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Reviews of Searles Leisure Resort
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Searles Leisure Resort
South Beach Road
Hunstanton
Norfolk (Browse area)
PE36 5BB
Tel: 01485 534211
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Pitches: 328
Open: 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024
01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025
Rating: 
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| Who's it for |
 Families Welcome |
 Not Members Only |
 Rallies Welcome |
 Not Naturist Site |
 Dogs Welcome |
 No Dogs Allowed |
 Groups Welcome |
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| Facilities |
 Toilet Facilities |
 Hot Showers |
 Washing Up |
 No Bathroom |
 Baby Changing Facilities |
 Laundry On Site |
 Drinking Water |
 Disabled Friendly |
 Chemical Disposal |
 No Battery Charging |
 Gas Exchange |
 No Recycling Facilities |
 No Kitchen Facilities |
 No Freezer / Fridge |
 No Motorhome Point |
 Wifi Access |
 Shop On Site |
 Bar On Site |
 Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site |
| Activities |
 Kids Playground |
 TV Room |
 Games Room |
 Evening Entertainment |
 Fishing On Site |
 No Wild Swimming |
 Indoor Pool On Site |
 Outdoor Pool On Site |
 Horse Riding <5 miles |
 Cycle Hire On Site |
 Golf On Site |
 Tennis On Site |
 Beach <1 mile |
 Watersports <1 mile |
 Boat Launch / Mooring <1 mile |
| Other Features |
 Sea Views |
 Not Working Farm |
 No Campfires Allowed |
 Open All Year |
 No Waterside Pitches |
 Public Transport <1 mile |
 No Dog Walk |
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Reviews:
208 in total, now showing 131 to 140
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| Date of Visit: April 2009 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Offtherails |
3 reviews from this member |
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 We visited over the Easter weekend Friday to Tuesday. Was our first time visiting Searles and the first impressions of the site were very favourable. The cleanliness and landscaping create a very nice location. However the signage for the tourer check-in could do with improving as more than one family had trouble locating it, but basically if you follow the main site road down to the children's park you will find it in a small hut.
We were with another couple and had booked Mains Serviced Pitches next door to each other. The pitch itself was a bit disappointing, they are not the biggest, we had a 5m x 4m tent and had to pitch close to the hedge to enable us to get the tent and car safely off the roadway (which in our area was a noisy gravel drive) this left very little room to sit outside. The pitch was also very bare of grass already and was covered in stones, some rather sharp which made it very uncomfortable underfoot. The pitches we were on have concrete reinforcement through them and made pegging out rather difficult, but we managed.
If you are after a decent night's sleep then the touring park is probably not for you. Every night we stayed there was more than a little noise till well after mid-night, and the Saturday night was nearer 2am. Then there is noise from around 6am. The Searles security patrol in a Landrover throughout the night but never actually seem to pay too much attention to the noise. Maybe it's because they are using a diesel Landrover which itself is quite noisy. We never once saw them actually stop and speak to anyone about keeping their noise down.
The river that runs through the park does let it down. It's full of rubbish and debris, although there were loads of ducks, which are a feature of the whole site, who seemed oblivious to the mess.
The cleaning staff work hard to keep the showers and toilets clean, an unenviable task when you look at the number of users. The showers work on a push button system which only gives around 5 seconds before it needs pressing again. Hot water is plentiful and queues seemed rare.
Being Easter the touring site was probably 95% full but apart from the noise you never felt crowded. The site claims to have a rigid 5mph policy for vehicles but we never saw this enforced although most people do stick to a sensible speed, but there were a few exceptions. Mind you with the number of children riding the hire bikes / carts etc without basic common sense I'm surprised there aren't more accidents.
The site facilities are up there amongst the best I have encountered for a touring park. The on-site shop is more expensive than Tesco, which is just across from the entrance, but is not so expensive you avoid using it. Its well stocked and the staff helpful, although we did discover they don't sell brooms (my wife forgot ours and due to the stony nature of the pitch didn't want to be on her hands and knees with a dustpan and brush) The chip shop is open from 1230 till 2230 and was very reasonably priced, the quality of food was excellent.
The main entertainment complex is divided into different areas, the plaza has the food outlets including a chinese restaurant and burger bar. An ice cream / coffee shop and also a bar, there is plenty of seating in this area and you can watch the large screen TV's which were usually showing SKY sports.
The amusement arcade is in this area too with a variety of machines for all ages, be warned it gets very crowded and very hot. The indoor pool only allows up to 40 people at a time and doesn't appear to set a time limit so the queue can be quite long, our children enjoyed it but during our stay the chlorine seemed very strong and we all had stinging eyes within about 5 mins of being in the pool.
There are two further bars inside the complex, 'The Mariners' has a restaurant in it and doesn't allow children in after 18.30 unless they are eating in the restaurant. The main showbar gets very very busy and unless you get there at open time I wouldn't expect to get a table at peak holiday times. We saw some of the entertainment and were pleasantly surprised with it. The 'Step-tacular' show by the Searles own entertainers was probably the best show I have ever seen at a touring park and would not have been out of place in a top theatre, well done to them. The only complaint I would have about the bars were the drinks prices. They are very expensive £3.70 for a bottle of Cider, £4.00 for a glass of red wine. Needless to say we didn't stay for many. One point to be made is that in the evening make sure you take your passes with you because you will not gain entrance to the plaza without it, there is security on the entrances and they check every pass religiously.
Searles run a road train to Hunstanton which is very reasonably priced, I think it was 50p per person one way, £1.00 to the lighthouse, or £2.00 round trip. But we walked along the promenade into Hunstanton which is a very pleasant walk and takes about 30mins. Hunstanton is a very small town so don't expect to find any of the usual stores we are accustomed to, Our kids were dis-appointed that there were no McDonalds.
Despite the negative comments I have made we did enjoy our stay and it is probably a site we would visit again. Overall our impression of Searles were of a site that will suit the majority of people. There is something for everyone. It's just let down by a few things I have mentioned. 
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| Date of Visit: April 2009 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Storm24 |
2 reviews from this member |
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We visited Searles over Easter (Friday-Monday) after many friends had recommended it to us. Although we enjoyed our visit, it didn't live up to expectations!
We were on a EHU pitch at the farthest end of the site.The standard of the pitch was very poor, to say it is only the beginning of the season there was hardly any grass on it.
The toilet/shower block closest to us was cold and not overly clean. Not so much an issue for adults but our young children found having a shower quite unpleasant.
Our electricity supply was intermittent all through the weekend.
We were glad of the Tesco across the road, as the prices of drinks in the plaza were astronomical (£8.10 for 2 pints lager & 2 VERY small cokes)
We decided to use the pool on the Sunday. Changing facilities were lovely, the pool was freezing,my young son started turning blue!
Despite all the negative points I have raised we DID enjoy ourselves.The size and location of the pitch was ideal.
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| Date of Visit: April 2009 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Louloulynt |
3 reviews from this member |
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Well its our 5th visit and what can I say! Its a fabulous site, well laid out and very clean. The evening entertainment has improved 100% since last year.
The only downside is that the food and drink prices are on the high side. Made us stay for a couple then go back to caravan and drink there.
Its well situated and an easy walk into the centre of Hunstanton for hot donuts!
Tesco is outside the main entrance and the Land train saves your legs if you feel too weary, they even let me take the dog on it.
We will be visiting again many times this year as its ideal for weekend breaks for us.
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| Date of Visit: April 2009 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Pk10369 |
1 review from this member |
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I have just got back after spending 3 nights camping (wed 8th - 11th april) with my partner and our 3 teenagers. Booked two days before going and was charged £70, which I thought was good value as it was the Easter holidays. We went in the swimming pool twice and the entertainment and facilities within the complex was great. I was given a pitch right at the back of the site. With tents,motor-homes and other touring caravans. The site is very family orientated with a strict 5 mph speed limit.
The kids play areas, tennis courts, football court and toilet block was a minute away. The toilets were the cleanest I have seen with free hot showers and I never had to wait. The main area with the mini market, laundry, swimming pool, club, fast food/restaurant was around a 8/10 min walk. The same time for the beach. Overall we enjoyed our stay and all of us agreed that we would like to return. We were lucky to have had 3 days of good weather I even managed to get sun burnt!
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| Date of Visit: December 2008 |
Unit: Motorhome |
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| Reviewer: Toady503 |
16 reviews from this member |
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We stayed here over the new year very nice site easy access to town and sea front.
Lots of walks, we walked along the coast to Dersingham and back. Didn't use any of the facilities on site only the showers, they were spotless at all times. We will be returning again in March with the Caravan Club as we enjoyed our stay so much. There is a Tescos very close by and quite a lot of shops in town.
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| Date of Visit: December 2008 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Lesley/Ian |
31 reviews from this member |
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This was our second trip to Searles and we love, love, love Searles. It has everything you need for a great holiday. Practically beach front, land train to Hunstanton, indoor / outdoor pools, restaurants and bars crazy golf.
It has fantastic access, no narrow lanes! fully serviced pitches and not overpriced. It is much nicer at this family run site than a bigger commercial park. The toilet blocks are warm and immaculately clean (a big plus!)
There is a TESCO supermarket and petrol station right outside the gates too, although their own shop is adequate, it was closed for refurbishment over christmas and new year, so should look better for the new season.
We have already booked again for next New Year, our only issue is that the cost of the tickets for the New Years Eve party were prohibitive for a family. Other than that I can not speak highly enough of this site and have and do recommend it on a regular basis.
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| Date of Visit: August 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Shelldean |
15 reviews from this member |
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Stayed at this site over the August bank holiday.
We had originally booked to stay 8 nights, but due to a family problem we had to call and say we'd be arriving a day late. This posed no problem, and we was even wished a pleasant journey. On arrival had small wait while others checked in, our check in was smooth and very precise directions given to ensure we reached our pitch safely. He also pointed out various facilities for us. Very nice staff.
We were in the woodlands(?) field, we backed on to the country club. Majority of this field is EHU although us and about half a dozen others at far end of field were non ehu.
Very long pitch though not that wide. We managed to get our Indiana (7.4m) across the pitch but it was very close to the edge of our pitch. Luckily all other occupants of next pitch had smaller tents so we were not too close. However if two pitches both had big tents I think they'd be pretty close. There is always the option of having the tent lengthways down the pitch - more like a caravan or motor home. We was the end pitch so only had this problem on one side. And to avoid being too close we'd pitched as close to this edge as possible.
Pitch was level and grassy for the most part. But do remember we visited at the end of a horrid summer, and the lack of grass was due to this and the constant pitching on the same spot each week.
Had a look at the other fields and the one with EHU plus hedges round each pitch seemed the nicest and the ones we'd ask for if we decide to return. The main camping field for non ehu seemed very crowded to us, and looked a bit like a shanty town. But as we didn't' stay on it can only comment on looks. They also have several types of pitches for motor homes and caravans, fully serviced, hardstanding or part hard standing.
Shower blocks were lovely and several of them. Each block had separate showers, cubicles with sink and shaver point and separate toilets each with their own sinks. Cleaned several times every day, even caught them cleaning about 6am one morning and deep cleaned once a week, block shut for a couple of hours, you're pre warned about this. One moan about the showers is the stupid push button for them.
Shop on site is the usual camp site type of shop with camp shop prices. Kids liked the croissants warm in the mornings. But with Tesco just outside main gate it was much cheaper to walk over to there.
Indoor pool was very busy and there was a long queue every time we looked, so we never got to use it. Outdoor pool was cold when you first got in but you soon got used to it. Outdoor pool has a slide, but it wasn't open at all times. Opened for about 10 mins approx. once an hour, something to do with water levels? that really disappointed the kids.
Also on site was a crazy golf, indoor play area, launderette and bike for hire. Didn't use any of these but all seemed reasonably priced. Kids did go to the country club and play a round of golf, was on small green and cost a small amount. Fish and chip shop on site was reasonable enough.
Short walk to the beach and along the front to the town and amusements. There is a land train takes you into town and back again. We walked into town and then on to the lighthouse, this is the trains terminus, so to save legs we rode the train back to site. Can't recall the exact price but it can't have been too expensive or I'd not have paid it!
Club house was always busy couldn't get a table the couple of times we tried, so no comments. We did sit in the plaza area to watch football, again very busy. Small arcade on site, used by unsupervised children, who rock the machine to try and get the money out. Doesn't matter if you're trying to play the machine properly. Couldn't see any security or attendants to complain to, so we only visited arcade once.
All in all a very pleasant stay, despite being a big site with all singing and all dancing this wasn't shoved down our throats and you can take it or leave it or do what we did and reach a happy medium.
Will we return??? Yes I think if we wanted to visit Norfolk again it would be a top contender.
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| Date of Visit: May 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Mrs jubbly |
12 reviews from this member |
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This is my second review of Searles as my first in 2005 was based on staying in a static. We have been back many times since that first review, sometimes in a tent sometimes in a static. Needless to say we love the place and for very definite reasons.
Big holiday park type sites often get knocked, sometimes rightly so because they are too expensive, too noisy, unruly, dirty, tacky or just lacking in that basic requirement for many campers - a warm, friendly atmosphere. None of the above, in my opinion, can be levelled at Searles. Yes, it is quite expensive, but generally you get what you pay for and there are more expensive sites around giving a lot less value for money.
At peak season don't expect absolute quiet after 11pm as the bar is often open until at least that time, however, it is a family park and I have never been disturbed in the early hours by unreasonable behaviour, the wardens are conspicuous but not over-bearing. It is immaculately clean - the showers are well serviced (by cleaning fairies I think as they are very discreet); the pools (two outdoor and one indoor all in the price of the pitch) are a pleasure to use with plenty of lifeguards; clubhouse bars and toilets have improved in recent years as well.
The entertainment (some might call tacky if they're really anti holiday park clubhouse types) is well pitched for an 'everyman' audience and Rollo's brand of fun is perfect for kids aged 3 to 11. We never felt particularly cringed out by it (and boy have we cringed at some places!) and were surprised by the level of talent on show.
As for that all important atmosphere we really do feel that this place has managed to achieve the almost impossible for a big park. We always feel genuinely welcomed and warmly looked after by the staff who seem to remain there year after year. Searles is, as far as I know, still a private, family owned park and you certainly get a sense of that from the way it is managed. Above all tent campers are made to feel as special as the holiday makers in £1000 a week lodges, in fact there doesn't seem to be any difference as to what you are entitled to.
Pitch size is adequate in the EHU pitches, enough for a large tunnel tent, small kitchen tent and car and trailer, just. All EHU pitches are surrounded by low hedges, some of the mains service pitches (satellite tv and water) are on semi hardstandings for good drainage - but you'll need your rock pegs! The camping section is far enough away from the hub of the park to make it feel like a stand alone campsite but not so far you have too far to walk for your morning warm choccy croissant (oh, they are good). Plenty of those lovely shower blocks are around, but I particularly recommend the newer one between tents and caravans with the underfloor heating, piped music and private vanity cubicles. The washing up area could do with a bit more weather proofing however. Non-EHU is in a field just on from the service pitches at the end of the park and is big but does have a tendency to get very windy - there is just a high raised bank between Searles and the Wash!
The shop carries all the camping essentials you might require for emergencies, including spare poles. The food side of it is imaginative (those choccy croissants again!) but fairly costly, however Tesco is right opposite the park. The eateries are not too bad for this kind of venue, a fast food cafe - ok; an Italian restaurant - surprisingly good; Chinese takeaway - excellent; fish and chip shop - usual fair and not too greasy; Mariners restaurant - a bit pricey but decent grub; Country Club - untried by us but looks nice. All in all you won't go hungry if the wind blows a gale and the heavens open for continued stretches and your poor old kitchen tent takes a hammering(which is what happened to us at Whitsun).
In fact the weather was so awful we didn't leave the site for four days but there was plenty to do with a free indoor swimming pool, Captain Willi's soft play activity centre (about £2 per kid and well worth it), and lots of daytime activities for children in the clubhouse and main plaza. We have been here when the sun has shone with some strength, however, and its a friendly enough site to just hang out by the tent, gossiping with passers by who are also probably returning visitors. The outdoor pool complex is a pleasure with plenty of sun chairs, and a big grassed area to flop out on, in the sunshine it feels almost Mediterranean! There are also a few climbing frame areas, particularly close to the camping and caravanning sections.
So to summarise, a very well serviced, clean and friendly park, packed with facilities, located some 5 minutes walk from the beach offering the best of many types of holiday experience. Well done Searles!
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| Date of Visit: July 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: FATBIRDSCANTFLY |
3 reviews from this member |
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Brilliant site with great facilities. Lots to do in local area with nice beaches next to the site. Stayed in the stables which was effectively a field, it had nice size pitches but was extremely windy which made it hard to do things around the tent and sleep at night.
Club house was really busy every night and was hot so we went to the pub at the bowls green near the tennis courts which was well priced and relaxed.
Showers were busy but as there were alot of them never had to wait. Stayed there for 3 nights but could easily have stayed for longer. Although there was alot of rain there was alot still to do on and off the site
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| Date of Visit: July 2008 |
Unit: Trailer Tent |
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| Reviewer: Shauniedaddy |
3 reviews from this member |
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We visited this site in early July. We were in 'the hedges ' area where all the pitches are separated by, as the name implies, hedges. The pitch size was very generous ,plenty of room for a 5m x 5m trailer tent plus car.
The site was quite full but it never seemed to be busy in the shower blocks or the entertainment complex. The site as a whole and the toilets / showers in particular were spotlessly clean. The nightly entertainment was perfect for our girls of 2 and 7 years and was very popular with lots of other families on the site.
There is a bar for adults only but we never used it except to eat in the restaurant one night where we found the food to be ok at a reasonable price.
Having visited large group Holiday sites , it was a joy not to have some one trying to take the last penny out of you pocket by trying to sell you caravans, pitchers of beer,crappy toys/gifts, etc etc. Searles have all these things for sale but never gave it 'the big sell' which we found very refreshing.
Hunstanton is great if the sun shines,with its sandy beach and promenade,but there is very little to do on a wet day but if you are staying at searles there is plenty of day time activities for the kids to enjoy. I highly recommend this site for a camping holiday and we will definitely return
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Common Questions
Is Searles Leisure Resort child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Searles Leisure Resort have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Searles Leisure Resort? There is a shop on site View all facilities
Is Searles Leisure Resort dog friendly? YES View all facilities
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